FAQ'sGet Your Answer about PTE Academic
Questions about Test, Scores, Book Test, Cancelation Procedure, Refunds
faqFrequently asked questions
Do I need to know about a specific subject to take the test?
No. PTE Academic is a test of your English ability. The test covers a range of subjects, but you are not being tested on these subjects.
Do I need computer skills to take the PTE Academic test?
You do not need any special computer skills. We recommend taking one of our practice tests to get used to moving through tasks. You can also watch the tutorial on our website. PTE Academic is taken using a QWERTY keyboard, where the letters on the top line spell out 'QWERTY'. IF you are not used to this type of keyboard, it may help to practice with one before you take the test.
How old do I need to be to take PTE Academic?
You must be at least 16 years old. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must provide a signed parental consent form before taking the test.
Will I be penalised in speaking tasks for not having an accent from a native English speaking country?
No. PTE Academic has been designed to recognise speech from non-native speakers of English representing over 100 different native languages.
Are all communicative skills scores (e.g. reading, writing) weighted equally?
Yes.
How many times can I take the test?
You can take PTE Academic as many times as you like. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.
Do I have to take Practice PTE Academic in my home?
Yes.
We accept these payment methods:
- MasterCard and Visa debit cards
- MasterCard, Visa, American Express and JCB credit cards
- Vouchers and promotion codes (you must pay the balance if your voucher does not cover the full test cost)
When should I arrive at the test center?
At least 30 minutes before the start of your test. This gives you plenty of time to check in and pass security.
How do you check my identity at the test center?
We will check the ID you bring with you. We also take your photo, a palm vein scan and a digital signature.
What documents can I use as ID at the test center?
Your ID needs to be a valid, non-expired and government-issued.
It must:
- show your name in Roman characters (A-Z)
- show a recognizable photograph
- show your signature In many countries, a passport is the only acceptable form of identification. Some countries enforce stricter measures. If you are unsure about what ID you need, or cannot meet the requirements, please contact the customer services team in your region.
What is palm vein recognition and is it safe?
Palm vein recognition scans the veins inside your hand to create a digital template that represents your palm vein pattern. Everyone’s veins are different, just like a fingerprint, this allows us to check your identity. To use the palm vein scanner, you simply hold your hand in place above the scanner for a few seconds. The scanner uses a near-infrared light source, similar to a remote control – and you never touch the sensor.
What happens if there is a problem with my computer during the test?
Raise your hand and tell the test administrator. They will do whatever they can to help and will ensure the problem is recorded and reported.
Make sure you tell the test administrator about any problems you feel affect your ability to complete the test. Without their record of the problem, it is very hard for us to trace these issues later on.
What should I do if I spot a problem with a question?
Raise your hand and tell the test administrator. They will ask you to complete a form. This will then be sent to us so we can investigate.
Alternatively, contact your local customer service team within 14 days of the test.
What happens if I have to leave for an emergency?
Raise your hand and explain your situation to the test administrator. They will advise further.
Can I leave early if I finish the test?
es. Raise your hand and ask the test administrator for permission to leave.
How do I know how much time I have left?
Each section of the test is individually time. You will see a timer in the top right corner of the screen counting down the remaining time.
Can I take notes during the test?
Yes. We will give you an erasable noteboard booklet (about 5 sheets of A4 paper). If you run out of space, you can ask for another booklet.
You are not allowed to make notes until the test has started
Can I correct my answers during the test?
You can correct multiple-choice responses (click again to deselect your answer) and typed responses (use the cut, copy and paste options)
However, you must correct mistakes before moving on to the next item. You cannot re-record any spoken responses.
The microphone will switch off automatically if you are silent for more than 3 seconds during an answer.
How do I view my scores online?
You can see your scores once you have signed in to your Pearson Vue account at www.pearsonvue.com/pte Click 'View Score Report' to see your scores for each test.
How do I send my scores to institutions?
You can do this once you have signed in to your account.
- Click Send Scores next to the relevant test.
- Search for the institution you want to send your score to. You can send up to seven at once.
- Click Next to see a summary
- Click Next, then hit Confirm Order to send your scores.
You can send your scores to unlimited number of institutitions free of charge.
We will send you an email to confirm your scores have been sent.
I took the test more than five days ago, but have not received my scores. What should I do?
Check your junk or spam email folder. We will email you when your results are available, so the email may be there already.
If your score is on hold we will contact you.
If you have not received any messages from us at all, contact us.
My score is 'on hold'. What does that mean?
We will put your score on hold if we detect any possible irregularities in your test.
We investigate even minor issues, so having your test put on hold does not mean there is necessarily a problem.
If you fail to adhere to the terms of the test, as listed on pg.18 of the Test Taker Handbook, your test result could be cancelled.
When will institutions be able to see my score?
It takes up to 48 hours for scores to be sent to institutions.
Requesting a rescore
If you are unhappy with your PTE Academic score, you may request a rescore. Before doing this, test takers should take the following into
consideration:
- PTE Academic is automatically rescored; therefore, it is unlikely that your overall scores will change.
- Only spoken responses and open-ended written responses are rescored.
- In the unlikely event that your score changes, it may go up or down.
- If your score changes, it will replace your previous score.
You may only request a rescore of your most recent PTE Academic test. You can not request a rescore if you have already either scheduled another test or sent your score to an institution.
To order a rescore, you must contact Pearson Customer Service within 14 calendar days of your score report being made available to you.
The fee for rescores is available from the Customer Service team. In the unlikely event that either your Overall, Communicative Skills or
Enabling Skills scores change, the rescore fee will be fully refunded.
I need to cancel my test, or I did not turn up to take it. Can I claim a refund?
If you fail to turn up to your appointment you will not generally receive a refund.
You may receive a partial refund if you cancel your test before the appointment date.
For your best chance of a refund, contact the customer service team in your region. In some circumstances we will try to reschedule your test free of charge.
CAN'T FIND ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION?
faqCOMMON QUESTIONS
How do I prepare for PTE Academic?
We have a range of preparation PTE questions available online.
What ID do I need on test?
Usually, you must present a valid USERNAME and PASSWORD in order to take PTE Academic.
Is PTE Academic accepted for visa applications?
Approved by the Australian Government for visa applications and accepted by thousands of institutions in the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, including Harvard, Yale and INSEAD.
Want to practice with real time scenario, just like in the real test?
